duckling's eyes not perky

[ceelo]

Hi there! We'r raising a mixed flock, (ducks, meat bird and layers.) One of the Pekin duckling's eyes are not sparkly. The skin looks pale and dry and s/he looks sleepy. It's one of the dominant ducks, very large and active, no other symptoms. Is it a variant, or need I do something. Eye ointment and neosporin didn't change much. Thanks!

 

[Amiga]

Morning!

If you can get a photo uploaded that would help.

Aside from that, some guesses and questions come to mind. What is the feed you are using, are they getting vitamin supplements, do the ducks bathe or swim often, how old is she?

 

[ceelo]

Duckling is about 4 weeks. Access to swimming/wading water at all times. Once a day, they are in a tractor with deeper/larger water access. The feed is Organic Pride Chick starter/Grower. It's label includes ducks, layers and meat chix. Vitamins in the mix include Niacin, A and K, as well as Bs, Ds and folic acid. I'll upload a pic when my kids are home later to help. S/he seems perky, eats well, and is still the 2nd largest duckling in the flock. It's just the eyes and skin around the eyes don't seem as perky as the others. Could be a normal variance I suppose, but they seem a little irritated to my duckling-uneducated-eye. Thanks for your help!

 

[duck brain]

There might be something in the water that's irritating her eyes. I would put her in a brooder or something for a few days and see if it clears up. Make sure she can get her whole head in the water but make sure it is VERY CLEAN. If it doesn't clear up... well it may be something in the genes.

 

[ceelo]

What is the best way to keep ducks bath water constantly clean? We change it 3-5xpd, but it gets dirty really fast. is that enough? What do you use?

 

[ceelo]

This is her/him. S/he seems a bit brighter the last few days, but you can see how the eye lids appear dry, or at least to me they seem so. What do you think?

 

[Amiga]

Doesn't look too bad, to me.

I wonder if tiny little white feathers might be coming in? My runners get those, and when I first saw them I was worried. But they seem fine, kind of like white eyeliner.

 

[70%cocoa]

Yes, I'd just keep a watch on that but it doesn't seem too bad. There seems to be no discharge or weeping from the eye, which would indicate a problem. Is the duckling rubbing its head/eyes on its body more then the others or scratching at the eyes? If not and they don't seem irritated or gummed up or weepy or sticky then just observe it to see how it goes.